Studying and completing a degree in biomedical engineering means you’ve succeeded in undertaking an engaging, intellectually stimulating and demanding study option. Once you have qualified, your attention will turn towards the next step of your journey, notably whether you want to pursue a career or continue to further studies. We’re here to help you understand your options, what kind of work you could do and how you can specialise.
- What are the specialisations in biomedical engineering?
- What skills do employers look for?
- What are the types of jobs available in biomedical engineering?
- What responsibilities do biomedical engineers have?
- How much do biomedical engineers get paid?
- What about further study in biomedical engineering?
What are the specialisations in biomedical engineering?
You may be surprised at the number of specialisations available in biomedical engineering. In most cases, you must have studied a related specialisation during your undergraduate or postgraduate degree to work as a professional in one of these areas. Some biomedical engineering specialisations include:
- Bioengineering
- Bioinformatics
- Biomaterials
- Biomimetics
- Electrical bioengineering
- Bionanotechnology
- Mechanical bioengineering
- Bioinstrumentation
- Biomechatronics
- Biomechanics
- Computational bioengineering
Many biomedical engineering specialisations combine knowledge and skills from other subject fields. These subjects include biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science and medicine. As a result, some students only specialise in biomedical engineering at the postgraduate level, having studied in a related field at the undergraduate level.
Find out more about the differences between biomedical engineering and biotechnology.
What skills do employers look for?
Qualifying in biomedical engineering is your entry ticket. Many employers will want a graduate who has achieved at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent. In addition, depending on the country you work in, gaining chartered status or accreditation with the relevant professional body is also attractive to employers. For example, in the UK, this is the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and in Australia, Engineers Australia.
However, there are also some skills and attributes employers will look for you to have as a job candidate. Not only do you need to have a professional understanding of the field, but also an interest and enthusiasm for the interaction between engineering and medicine. Having excellent communication skills is a must. It can be a demanding field to work in, and you’ll interact with many different people.
Employers also want candidates who combine creativity and the technical skills needed for work in biomedical engineering. Innovation is essential in this constantly evolving discipline. You need to be able to work under pressure and up to date with industry and commercial developments. If you’re a natural problem solver with an eye for detail, you’ll be able to impress a prospective employer.
Find out more about the skills employers look for.
What are the types of jobs available in biomedical engineering?
Graduating with a degree in biomedical engineering sets you up for a career in many industries. You may have only imagined working in a laboratory environment or hospital. However, the employers looking for the skills of biomedical engineers include:
- Universities
- Engineering companies
- Technology companies
- Financial services
- Consultancy services
- Information technology
- Medical technology
- Medical research
- Pharmaceutical services
There are also a variety of roles that graduates qualified in biomedical engineering can fulfil. While many potential jobs will naturally have a medical focus, others draw on the engineering skillset in different fields. Some of the jobs available include, but are not limited to:
- Biomaterials developer
- Rehabilitation engineer
- Medical technology developer
- Clinical engineer
- Researcher
- Lecturer
- Medical doctor
- Software developer and programmer
- Analyst
It's important to evaluate your personality and skills to see what type of work would suit you best. This is also true of discovering how to match your career ambitions and study path.
Looking for a top university? Our guides to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and the QS World University Rankings 2025 can help.
What responsibilities do biomedical engineers have?
The responsibilities you have will differ depending on the industry you work in, your speciality and your level of seniority. However, there are some common tasks and activities that you can expect. These include:
- Research and analysis of clinical problems to develop innovative and effective solutions.
- Develop, design and test equipment and materials using mathematical models and computer software.
- Communicate and work with manufacturers and technicians to produce viable products. This includes quality assurance and marketing.
- Organise clinical trials and tests. You will also analyse and interpret the data and information from these tests.
- Work with hospitals, clinicians, therapists, and healthcare managers to solve issues and share information.
- Maintain and service equipment as well as provide training.
- Write reports and present information to stakeholders and at conferences.
These are some of the roles and responsibilities you may have when working in the field. If you want to discover more about the world of work, our guide to good questions to ask at a career fair might help.
How much do biomedical engineers get paid?
Several factors will influence how much you will earn as a qualified biomedical engineer. These are:
- Specialisation
- Level of study completed
- Experience
- Country you work in
Remember that in some countries, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, professional accreditation may be mandatory for work and can impact how much you will earn. Chartered engineers can expect to earn slightly more.
If you have qualified with a BSc in biomedical engineering, starting salaries in different destinations include:
- UK- GBP 33,000 to GBP 40,000 per year
- Canada - CAD 60,000 to CAD 70,000 per year
- USA - USD 60,000 to USD 90,000 per year
- Australia - AUD 80,000 and AUD 85,000 per year
*Source (Glassdoor and Indeed)
Discover more about the careers of the future and jobs that AI can’t replace.
What about further study in biomedical engineering?
If you have completed an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, usually a BSc or BEng, then studying for a master’s degree is an option. You must have achieved at least a 2:1 degree (65 per cent or higher) or equivalent (GPA 3.5 to 4.0) to be accepted onto a postgraduate programme. You must demonstrate your English language ability with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0.
An MSc in biomedical engineering will not only enhance your career. It also develops your knowledge, expertise, and skills in the field. Many master’s degrees in biomedical engineering are industry-focused and offer specialisations including:
- Neurotechnology
- Biomaterials
- Mechanobiology
- Medical physics
- Medical imaging
- Medical computing
- Medical electronics
- Nanotechnology
If your interest in the subject develops, studying for a PhD could be a good option. Biomedical academic research can play a big role in innovation and new developments.
As you can tell, a degree in biomedical engineering can open many doors and opportunities for you. To explore further, you can read our guide on how to job search as a graduate, what you can do after a degree in medicine, and how to get a first-class degree.
Chat with Couru
